New Ebola outbreak in Congo linked to fresh animal-to-human transmission, study finds

A new study has revealed that a novel variant of a rare Ebola strain is behind the current outbreak in Congo.

The research, conducted by scientists from Congo, Uganda, Belgium, and other countries, indicated that the outbreak resulted from a fresh transmission of the virus from animals to humans, rather than from strains linked to previous cases, according to Al Arabiya.

The study analyzed the genetic makeup of virus samples from 22 patients in Congo and Uganda, finding that the strain is genetically distinct from Bundibugyo Ebola viruses identified during outbreaks in 2007 and 2012.

According to the study, the current outbreak began with a new animal-to-human transmission event, followed by human-to-human spread. The specific animal source was not identified, but it is known that Ebola viruses periodically pass from infected animals to humans.

Genetic analysis also showed that cases detected in Uganda are linked to the outbreak in Congo. The researchers suggest that expanding testing and genetic sequencing could help with early detection of future Ebola outbreaks and improve containment efforts.